Detached garden outbuilding at Pymhurst, 11 Semaphore Road, Guildford

What was proposed

A single-storey outbuilding with a car port, covered seating, several domestic rooms and solar panels was proposed, alongside replacement gates, piers and a wall.

“Location: Pymhurst, 11 Semaphore Road, Guildford, GU1 3PS Proposal: Erection of single storey detached outbuilding with covered car port, outdoor covered seating area and solar panels, as well as replacement access gates, brickwork piers and wall to the south, following demolition of existing wall at the rear and side of site (description amended 15/01/2026.)”

“Planning permission is sought for the erection of a single storey detached outbuilding comprising a covered car port and outdoor seating area, gym, games room, study, and shed. Solar panels would be installed on the roof of the proposed outbuilding. It is also proposed to erect a replacement vehicular access gate, brick piers and boundary wall along the site's south western flank boundary.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the building subordinate and sympathetic, with no material harm to character, neighbours, highway safety or trees, subject to conditions.

“Existing boundary treatments, together with the proposed replacement wall and gate, would limit views of the outbuilding from Pewley Bank, and the outbuilding does not form part of the established residential building line as the main dwelling does not front this road. As such, its scale and siting would not materially harm the character of this street scene.”

“It is not considered that the proposal would result in material harm to the amenities enjoyed by neighbouring occupiers or highway safety, and subject to the imposition of a condition, the proposal would also not result in unacceptable harm to trees.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

The Tree Officer raised no objection subject to tree protection, while 26 representations raised concerns including safety, scale, character, privacy, noise and the wall.

“Discrepancy between floor plans supplied in support of Party Wall Award and plans submitted under this application [Officer Note: Party Wall agreements are civil matters and the planning application must be determined solely on the basis of the plans submitted.] • Out-of-keeping / out-of-character • Inappropriate choice of materials • No set back from highway • Gates and brick piers give appearance of a 'secure gated estate' / gated area • Construction works already taking…”

“/ kitchen facilities will be installed in the future [Officer Note: The potential future addition of such facilities is not a material planning consideration. The application must be assessed solely on the basis of the plans submitted.] • Plans do not show covered seating area [Officer Note: An amended block plan was received on 12/02/2026, including the covered seating area and car port.] • Owners do not currently benefit from access onto Pewley Bank • The wall to be…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two people spoke against the proposal and two people spoke in support before the committee considered the application.

What members debated

Members acknowledged residents’ concerns but considered the proposal broadly comparable to the existing permission and focused on material planning matters.

“The Committee received a presentation from the Development Management Specialist, who outlined the proposal and the relevant planning considerations. Members were advised that there was an extant planning permission for a similar outbuilding on the site, which was a material planning consideration.”

“In debate, Members acknowledged the concerns raised by local residents though noted that a number of issues raised related to matters outside the scope of planning considerations. Members observed that the proposal was broadly comparable in scale to the extant planning permission and that the limited dimensional differences identified did not materially alter the planning assessment.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

The committee approved the application subject to the conditions and reasons in the officer recommendation.

“The Chair moved the motion to approve application 25/P/01719, subject to the conditions and reasons as set out in the Officer’s report. The motion was seconded by Councillor Bigmore and was carried.”

“RESOLVED: That application 25/P/01719 be APPROVED, for the reasons as set out in the Officer’s report.”

Minutes